Computing Courses at Michigan

The following are just a very few examples of the IT-related courses being taught at U-M:

3D Modeling and Animation

• Art and Design 300 24

  3-D Modeling and Animation

  This course focuses on the techniques and creative potential of three-dimensional computer modeling and animation. Activities include designing objects, arranging them in virtual space, and animating them as they change over time. The course provides technical skills and conceptual understanding in preparation for further advanced study in a variety of areas utilizing 3-D digital technologies: digital sculpture, character animation, solid modeling and rapid prototyping, industrial/product design, digital installation, interactive multimedia, motion capture, or visual effects.

• Art and Design 300 25

  Digital Character Development

  Focusing on the depiction of character—an individual's distinctive physical traits and behavior, this workshop utilizes 3-D computer modeling and animation techniques to design digital character studies. Ideas related to identity, embodiment, and transformation are considered as they are re-presented and re-figured by digital 3-D technologies. Portrayals of human and animal forms—real and imagined—from many different time periods and cultures provide historical and social context.

Architecture

• Architecture 525

  Computer Applications in Environmental Technology

  The focus of this course is the application of computers in building technology design. The course provides an understanding of environmental design methods through the use of commercial and newly-developed computer programs. State-of-the-art thermal, lighting and acoustical analysis models are introduced. The application of these models in environmental system design is explored through case studies.

• Architecture 571

  Digital Fabrication

  Digital technology is transforming not only the way we conceive of and design buildings but through manufacturing advances in aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding, it is transforming the way we manufacture and construct buildings. This course explores the crossover between computer-aided design and advanced fabrication techniques. Through a series of hands-on labs and small design projects students learn various software applications and computer-driven hardware tools as a means of introducing basic concepts of manufacturing and construction.

Artificial Intelligence

• Electrical Engineering 442

  Computer Vision

  Computational methods for the recovery, representation, and application of visual information. Topics from image formation, binary images, digital geometry, similarity and dissimilarity detection, matching, curve and surface fitting, constraint propagation relaxation labeling, stereo, shading texture, object representation and recognition, dynamic scene analysis, and knowledge based techniques. Hardware, software techniques.

• Electrical Engineering 492

  Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

  Fundamental concepts of AI, organized around the task of building computational agents. Core topics include search, logic, representation and reasoning, automated planning, decision making under uncertainty, and machine learning.

• Electrical Engineering 592

  Advanced Artificial Intelligence

  Advanced topics in artificial intelligence. Issues in knowledge representation, knowledge-based systems, problem solving, planning and other topics will be discussed. Students will work on several projects.

• Electrical Engineering 594

  Introduction to Adaptive Systems

  Programs and automata that "learn" by adapting to their environment; programs that utilize genetic algorithms for learning. Samuel's strategies, realistic neural networks, connectionist systems, classifier systems, and related models of cognition. Artificial intelligence systems, such as NETL and SOAR, are examined for their impact upon machine learning and cognitive science.

• Electrical Engineering 595 (LING 541) (SI 661)

  Natural Language Processing

  A survey of syntactic and semantic theories for natural language processing, including unification-based grammars, methods of parsing, and a wide range of semantic theories from artificial intelligence as well as from philosophy of language. Programming will be optional, though a project will normally be required.

Biotech Applications

• Electrical Engineering 417 (BIOMEDE 417)

  Electrical Biophysics

  Electrical biophysics of nerve and muscle; electrical conduction in excitable tissue; quantitative models for nerve and muscle, including the Hodgkin Huxley equations; biopotential mapping, cardiac electrophysiology, and functional electrical stimulation; group projects. Lecture and recitation.

• Electrical Engineering 509

  BioMEMS

  Latest advances in bioMEMS, specifically microsystems targeting developmental biology and cell culture. Organism's development, from genome to multicellular tissue. BioMEMS devices: microPCR chips, microfluidic mixers, tissue scaffolds. Familiarize students with microfabrication and microsystems. View and evaluate bioMEMS devices and innovations. Implantable and diagnostic microsystems. Critical evaluation of publications required. A principal component of the grade will be a written NSF or NIH exploratory proposal.

Cryptography

• Electrical Engineering 475

  Introduction to Cryptography

  Covers fundamental concepts, algorithms, and protocols in cryptography. Topics: ancient ciphers, Shannon theory, symmetric encryption, public key encryption. hash functions, digital signatures, key distribution. Highlights AES, RSA, discrete log, elliptic curves. Emphasizes rigorous mathematical study in terms of algorithmic complexity. Includes necessary background from algorithms, probability, number theory, and algebra.

• Electrical Engineering 575

  Advanced Cryptography

  A rigorous introduction to the design of cryptosystems and to cryptanalysis. Topics include cryptanalysis of classical cryptosystems; theoretical analysis of one-way functions; DES and differential cryptanalysis; the RSA cryptosystem; ElGamal, elliptic, hyperelliptic and hidden mononomial cryptosystems; attacks on signature schemes, identification schemes and authentication codes; secret sharing; and zero knowledge.

Databases

• Electrical Engineering 484

  Database Management Systems

  Concepts and methods for the design, creation, query and management of large enterprise databases. Functions and characteristics of the leading database management systems. Query languages such as SQL, forms, embedded SQL, and application development tools. Database design, integrity, normalization, access methods, query optimization, transaction management and concurrency control and recovery.

• School of Information 572

  Database Application Design

  This course is an introduction to database management systems (DBMS). It covers both theoretical and practical aspects of DBMS, including database design, use, and implementation using the database language SQL. Some topics in physical database design are also discussed. An essential part of the course is a programming project through which students design and develop a practical database system for library access, electronic commerce, information retrieval, or a similar application. Students use the open-source MySQL database and the PHP scripting language for Web development throughout the course.

Game Development

• Electrical Engineering 494

  Computer Game Design and Development

  Concepts and methods for the design and development of computer games. Topics include: history of games, 2D graphics and animation, sprites, 3D animation, binary space partition trees, software engineering, game design, interactive fiction, user interfaces, artificial intelligence, game SDK's, networking, multi-player games, game development environments, commercialization of software.

GIS

• Urban Planning 406

  Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

  This course provides an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and how it may be applied to solve urban planning problems. Emphasis is on basic principles and concepts of GIS, theory and tools of spatial analysis, and broad exposure to GIS applications such as land use, infrastructure, and environmental planning. Topics include the history of GIS, hardware and software requirements, spatial data types, data formats and sources, spatial analysis techniques, making maps and reports, and fundamentals of database design.

• Urban Planning 507

  Geographic Information Systems

  This course enables students who have taken the introductory course (UP 406) to advance their skills in the use of Geographic Information Systems. Several advanced GIS techniques are presented to help students deepen their analytical capabilities using spatial data. Topics to be covered include network analysis (e.g., pipeline flows, waterways, travel routing, and costs, facility service areas, and traffic flow); spatial data analysis (e.g., raster modeling, interpolating point data, density analysis, and neighborhood statistics); and an introduction to visualizing spatial data through 3D modeling. The course also introduces students to several statistical and computational approaches to quantifying spatial patterns and identifying clusters and outliers in spatial data. The course also further deepens skills in applying GIS as a tool for studying urban problems. Students work on case study projects drawn from local communities.

Human Computer Interaction

• Industrial and Operations Engineering 436

  Human Factors in Computer Systems

  This course discusses how to design and evaluate computer systems for ease of use. Topics to be covered include keyboards and how people type, vision and video display design, human body size and computer furniture, regulations concerning working conditions, software issues, methods for studying user performance, documentation, and information systems of the future.

• Electrical Engineering 493

  User Interface Development

  Concepts and techniques for designing computer system user interfaces to be easy to learn and use, with an introduction to their implementation. Task analysis, design of functionality, display and interaction design, and usability evaluation. Interface programming using an object-oriented application framework. Fluency in a standard object-oriented programming language is assumed.

• School of Information 551

  Information-Seeking Behavior

  Information-seeking is a complex information and communication activity requiring access to diverse information systems and resources in order to deal with work-related, personal, and social information problems. This course provides students an introduction to the human aspects of systems and technology in various information contexts, including work place, schools, health care, and everyday life. This course critically examines concepts, models, and frameworks relevant to human information behavior. Understanding human information seeking behavior tends to be qualitative and inductive in nature. Therefore, students have opportunities to learn various ethnographic techniques step-by-step, including how to conduct ethnographic interview and nonparticipant observation and how to take field notes. Students will also practice qualitative data analysis using QSR N6 software.

• School of Information 658

  Information Architecture

  This course is based upon the so-called "Polar Bear IA" tradition established by Lou Rosenfeld and Peter Morville, and upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  • Locate "Polar Bear IA" within the broader context of the field of information architecture
  • Employ heuristics and apply core principles of IA in critiques and redesigns of Web site features and functionality
  • Understand issues and disciplines adjacent to or intertwingled with IA, such as usability, user experience (UX), interaction design (IxD), search engine/Web site optimization (SEO/WSO)
  • Discuss and apply research from the Stanford Web Credibility project to IA design and analysis
  Create a report describing IA strategy and recommendations for Web site design, accompanied by standard IA deliverables, such as of wireframes, blueprints, and analytics findings

Multimedia

• Performing Arts Technology 201

  Introduction to Computer Music

  Introduction to electronic musical instruments, MIDI and digital audio systems. Students create several original compositions for presentation and discussion. The aesthetics of electroacoustic composition are discussed through study of selected repertoire.

• Screen Arts and CulturesÊ301

  Video Making I

  Building on previous video experience, this course continues to explore single camera video production and aesthetics and focuses on video as a creative form through examination of historical and contemporary video art works. Students will work independently or in small groups on short projects that provide hands-on experience with digital cameras and non-linear digital editing.

• Music Composition 416

  Seminar in Electronic Music

  Includes the study of digital synthesis techniques. Special attention is given to the relationship between technology, the creative process, and individual statement.

• Electrical Engineering 487

  Interactive Computer Graphics

  Computer graphics hardware, line drawing, rasterization, anti-aliasing, graphical user interface (GUI), affine geometry, projective geometry, geometric transformation, polygons, curves, splines, solid models, lighting and shading, image rendering, ray tracing, radiosity, hidden surface removal, texture mapping, animation, virtual reality, and scientific visualization.

Nanotechnology

• Electrical Engineering 414

  Introduction to MEMS

  Micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), devices, and technologies. Micro-machining and microfabrication techniques, including planar thin-film processing, silicon etching, wafer bonding, photolithography, deposition, and etching. Transduction mechanisms and modeling in different energy domains. Analysis of micromachined capacitive, piezoresistive, and thermal sensors/actuators and applications. Computer-aided design for MEMS layout, fabrication, and analysis.

Networking

• Electrical Engineering 489

  Computer Networks

  Protocols and architectures of computer networks. Topics include client-server computing, socket programming, naming and addressing, media access protocols, routing and transport protocols, flow and congestion control, and other application-specific protocols. Emphasis is placed on understanding protocol design principles. Programming problems to explore design choices and actual implementation issues assigned.

Robotics

• Electrical Engineering 567 (MFG 567) (MECHENG 567)

  Introduction to Robotics

  Introduction to the central topics in robotics, including geometry, kinematics, differential kinematics, dynamics, and control of robot manipulators. The mathematical tools required to describe spatial motion of a rigid body will be presented in full. Motion planning including obstacle avoidance is also covered.

Web Development

• Electrical Engineering 485

  Web Database and Information Systems

  Design and use of databases in the Web context; data models, database design, replication issues, client/server systems, information retrieval, web server design; substantial project involving the development of a database-backed web site.

• School of Information 539

  Design of Complex Web Sites

  Covers the application of database technology to the service of Web sites. Students discuss Web site design, implementation, and evaluation. More importantly, students focus on the use of data gathering, storage, retrieval, processing, and formatting, in the context of a Web site. Course covers gathering data from users through online forms and PhP scripts; effectively storing that data in a database on the server (using MySql); Web-based administrative interfaces to the database; and the effective formatting and display of the data at the Web site. Practical application are studied; this is a project-based course.

Look for other course offerings in the schools' course guides (scroll down).